Acmaeoderoides distinctus
Nelson, 1968
Acmaeoderoides distinctus is a small ( ) described by Gayle H. Nelson in 1968. It belongs to the Acmaeoderoides, a group of North buprestids characterized by their compact body form and association with . The occurs in shortgrass prairie in the western Great Plains. Like other members of its family, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though specific records remain undocumented. The genus is taxonomically significant as one of the more derived lineages within the Acmaeoderini.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acmaeoderoides distinctus: /æˌkmiːoʊdəˈrɔɪdiːz dɪˈstɪŋktəs/
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Identification
Acmaeoderoides distinctus can be distinguished from other Acmaeoderoides by the combination of: body form more than A. cazieri and A. depressus; elytral and coloration patterns that differ from congenerics; and geographic distribution restricted to the northern Great Plains versus the southwestern distributions of other species in the . The genus Acmaeoderoides itself is distinguished from the similar Acmaeodera by the more compact, less elongate body form and different pronotal structure. Specific diagnostic characters for A. distinctus include details of the elytral and intervals, though these require examination of material or original description.
Habitat
Shortgrass prairie , specifically recorded from atop the Pine Ridge in northwestern Nebraska. The occurs in open grassland environments with scattered .
Distribution
North America: recorded from Sioux County, Nebraska. The Acmaeoderoides has a broader distribution in the western United States, with other occurring in the southwestern states.
Seasonality
have been photographed in late September (September 25, 2010), suggesting fall activity typical of many prairie-dwelling .
Similar Taxa
- Acmaeoderoides cazieriSimilar compact body form but differs in elytral and occurs in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) rather than the northern Great Plains.
- Acmaeoderoides depressusAnother congeneric with more depressed body form and different geographic distribution in the southwestern United States.
- Acmaeodera speciesSimilar general appearance as , but Acmaeoderoides is distinguished by more compact body, different pronotal structure, and reduced elytral maculation.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by Gayle H. Nelson in 1968, a prominent North . The Acmaeoderoides was established by Van Dyke in 1942 and contains only three : A. distinctus, A. cazieri, and A. depressus.
Collection significance
The specimen photographed in 2010 represented a notable find in a region where the had not been frequently recorded. The is considered rare in collections and is listed among desiderata for serious North collections.